Sensor Bearing Assembly for Pulley Angular Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor bearing assemblies face challenges in accurately sensing the angular displacement and rotational velocity of pulley sheaves, particularly due to the indirect sensing methods and potential damage from rotation, which can lead to unreliable data and equipment wear.
Innovation Solution
A sensor bearing assembly with a double-row bearing configuration, featuring an annular inner and outer member with rolling elements and a detection member, coupled with a sensor that senses angular displacement directly, ensuring accurate measurement and minimizing wear through fixed cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If indirect sensing methods are used to measure angular displacement and rotational velocity of pulley sheaves, then the sensing system is simpler, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bearing structure with the sensor assembly into an integrated unit. The sensor is mounted on the inner ring and directly senses rotation of the pulley sheave, merging the support function and sensing function into a single component system, thereby achieving direct measurement without complex indirect sensing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support through the bearing structure and simultaneously performs angular displacement sensing through the integrated sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensing systems while improving measurement precision
2Reliability
If cables are allowed to rotate with the pulley sheave, then the sensing connection is maintained, but the cables are subject to wear and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing system into two parts: the sensor mounted on the rotating inner ring that rotates with the pulley sheave, and the cable that remains stationary and rotates with the shaft. This segmentation isolates the cable from rotational wear while maintaining sensing capability through the rotating sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The inner ring acts as an intermediary between the rotating pulley sheave and the stationary cable. The sensor mounted on the inner ring captures rotational data while the cable remains fixed to the shaft, transferring data without experiencing rotational wear
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor bearing assembly rotatably couples a pulley sheave with a shaft and includes an inner member with a central bore receiving a portion of the shaft, two axially spaced inner raceway surfaces and a central portion between the raceways. An outer member is disposed about the inner member and disposeable within the sheave bore to rotatably couple the sheave with the shaft. The outer member has two axially spaced outer raceway surfaces disposed about the two inner raceway surfaces and a central portion between the outer raceways and disposed about inner member central portion to define an annular cavity. An annular detection member is disposed within the annular cavity and coupled with the outer member and a sensor is disposed within the annular detection member and connected with the inner member central portion. The sensor is configured to sense angular displacement of the detection member about the bearing axis.